News Release: NREL Research Garners Three Prestigious R&D 100 Awards

July 22, 2009

An ultra-accelerated weathering system, a parabolic trough solar concentrating collector,
and a microbattery — all developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s
(DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) — were honored today as top 100
innovations for 2009 by R&D Magazine.

The Ultra-Accelerated Weathering System (UAWS) is a multifaceted ultraviolet solar concentrator used to speed up the exposure of
coatings, paints, and other materials to determine their durability and resistance
to weathering. Industry applications include coatings used for solar panels while
other uses for the UAWS include paints or finishes used on homes, cars or even bridges.
The UAWS provides test results 12 times faster than other accelerated weathering systems
and can replicate years of sun damage in just a few weeks. NREL shares this award
with Atlas Material Testing Technology and the Institute of Laser Optical Technology.
NREL researchers who worked on the project are Gary Jorgensen, Al Lewandowski (retired),
Carl Bingham and Judy Netter.

The SkyTrough™ Parabolic Trough Solar Concentrating Collector uses a reflector material developed by NREL and its collaborative research partner,
SkyFuel, to create a ground-breaking and low-cost system for utility-sized power generation.
The SkyTrough™ uses ReflecTech® Mirror Film, a glass-free, slide-in mirror that is
lightweight and weather proof. This innovation coupled with improvements to items
like the hydraulic-based rotational system and the sun-tracking controller enables
SkyTrough™ to reduce the installed cost by 35 percent and substantially improves the
financial return to investors. This reduction to the price barriers brings the installation
costs into competition with gas-fired power plants. NREL shares this award with SkyFuel,
Inc. NREL researchers who worked on the project are Gary Jorgensen, Tim Wendelin,
Allison Gray, Mark Mehos, Frank Burkholder and Kent Terwilliger.

The PowerPlane UX Microbattery is a safe, rechargeable, deep-cycle, thin-film lithium microbattery. Its ideal applications
are remote wireless sensors, smart homes, smart cars and medical sensing devices.
Unlike traditional batteries, the PowerPlane UX Microbattery has a long life cycle
even if it is frequently and fully discharged. It uses a solid glass electrolyte—lithium
phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON)—to give the battery its longer cycle life. NREL developed
the buried-anode architecture used in the microbattery. This innovation involves lithium
being intercalated, or chemically trapped within, the cathode layer. The battery also
is tolerant of high temperatures. NREL shares this award with Planar Energy Devices.
NREL researchers who worked on the project are Roland Pitts, Ed Tracy and Dane Gillaspie.

“The Department of Energy's national laboratories are incubators of innovation, and
I'm proud they are being recognized once again for their remarkable work,” said Energy
Secretary Steven Chu. ”The cutting-edge research and development being done in our
national labs is vital to maintaining America’s competitive edge, increasing our nation’s
energy security, and protecting our environment. I want to thank this year's winners
for their work and congratulate them on this award.”

“These technologies showcase the variety of world-class research and development that
is NREL’s hallmark,” NREL Director Dan Arvizu said. “We are honored to once again
have our efforts recognized with this preeminent award.”

The R&D 100 Awards are known in the industry as the “Oscars of Invention” and the
awards showcase the best new technologies from around the world. Including this year’s
recognition, NREL has won a total of 45 awards R&D 100 Awards. The 2009 awards gala
will be held on November 12 at the Renaissance Orlando Hotel at SeaWorld in Florida.

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable
energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for DOE by
The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.